RISE Out of Poverty Act Reintroduced

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) has reintroduced the Rewriting to Improve and Secure an Exit Out of Poverty Act of 2013, also known as the RISE Out of Poverty Act (H.R. 814), to reauthorize the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. Major proposed reforms include increasing state block grants and indexing them annually for inflation, providing new funding for child care and subsidized employment, mandating guaranteed child care for all work-eligible parents, and requiring states to provide benefit levels that meet basic family needs. The bill would revamp work requirements to support education and training, and allow people with disabilities and family caregivers to participate in a modified plan of work or job preparation. The bill also would enhance screening for disabilities, and require detailed annual reporting on beneficiaries with disabilities. The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and, in addition, to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.